Why was not this spirit implanted in a tiger which gluts its raging jaws with human flesh? Is this a father's tenderness? Is this love for love? Would I were a bear to rouse all the bears of the north against this murderous race! Repentance, and no pardon! Oh, that I could poison the ocean that men might drink death from every spring! Contrition, implicit reliance, and no pardon! (ROLLER: But listen, Moor,--listen to what I am telling you!) 'Tis incredible! 'tis a dream--a delusion! Such earnest entreaty, such a vivid picture of misery and tearful penitence--a savage beast would have been melted to compassion! stones would have wept, and yet he--it would be thought a malicious libel upon human nature were I to proclaim it--and yet, yet--oh, that I could sound the trumpet of rebellion through all creation, and lead air, and earth, and sea into battle array against this generation of hyenas! (GRIMM: Hear me, only hear me! You are deaf with raving.) Avaunt, avaunt! Is not thy name man? Art thou not born of woman? Out of my sight, thou thing with human visage! I loved him so unutterably!--never son so loved a father; I would have sacrificed a thousand lives for him (foaming and stamping the ground). Ha! where is he that will put a sword into my hand that I may strike this generation of vipers to the quick! Who will teach me how to reach their heart's core, to crush, to annihilate the whole race? Such a man shall be my friend, my angel, my god--him will I worship!

Charles Von M Monologue from The Robbers

About this piece

Rehearse Charles Von M's monologue

More from The Robbers

Browse